Abstract: A system and method for operating a hybrid 4G satellite network. The method includes providing a NGSG including a satellite AS/NAS stack, a terrestrial 4G stack and a relay to connect the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack; transporting a 4G traffic between a 4G UE and the NGSG using a satellite air interface; utilizing a terrestrial network between the NGSG and a 4G CN to transport the 4G traffic; and mapping, with the relay, the 4G traffic between the satellite AS/NAS stack and the terrestrial 4G stack and vice versa, where the satellite air interface is better suited for satellite communications than the terrestrial network. A system and method for multiplexing a first-generation UE and a second-generation UE on a satellite channel.

Abstract: A system and method for improving network performance of DNS queries. The system includes a terminal which receives DNS queries from a customer premise equipment (CPE), and supplies matching DNS records in response to the queries. The terminal monitors all traffic from the CPE and generates a preload list containing domains and a time schedule at which name resolution should be requested for the domains. A DNS preload client in the CPE receives the preload list from the terminal, and submits preload DNS queries for name resolution of domains contained in the preload list at times specified in the time schedule. Preload records supplied in response to the preload DNS queries are stored by the CPE and used to resolve DNS queries from applications installed on the CPE.

Abstract: The present teachings disclose a multibeam satellite system and methods that can achieve orthogonality between spatially multiplexed signals in a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) configuration when operating in line-of-sight (LOS) uplink and downlink channels on the feeder link side, using essentially a common spot beam. The teachings maximize a MIMO capacity across multiple frequency bands by disclosing an antenna array geometry for disposition on-board a single satellite and for a ground segment.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and its methods of use are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a mobile terminal for enabling radio communications includes a common reference device, frequency conversion circuitry, and pilot tracking circuitry and/or signal tracking circuitry. The common reference device provides a common reference signal for frequency conversions. The frequency conversion circuitry uses the common reference signal from the common reference device to perform a frequency conversion of incoming or outgoing communications. The pilot tracking circuitry determines a frequency error based on a frequency of a received pilot signal and causes an adjustment to the frequency conversion performed by the frequency conversion circuitry based on the frequency error. The signal tracking circuitry determines a frequency error signal based on the frequency of an incoming communication signal and causes an adjustment to the frequency conversion performed by the frequency conversion circuitry based on the frequency error.

Abstract: A smart network edge (SNE) selectively mutes data packets via an optimal data path using available networks, either terrestrial or non-terrestrial. The SNE includes: a processor; a memory storing programming for the processor, a steerable antenna; and a number of modems corresponding to gateways in the available networks. The SNE is programmed to determine one or more selected data paths for data packets of a session based on avoiding or mitigating inter-constellation interference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for differentiated application of an Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) to enhance link performance in satellite communication systems are disclosed. A system may include a processor and a memory storing instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to dynamically compute bandwidth capacity of a terminal from a plurality of terminals. Based on the computed bandwidth capacity of the terminal, the processor may automatically determine a ModCod to be applied for transmission to or from the terminal to optimize bit error rate (BER) performance. The to processor may determine the ModCod using an ACM technique. For the plurality of terminals, the processor may dynamically determine aggregate bandwidth availability and congestion within the ACM technique to optimize sharing of available bandwidth.

Abstract: Systems and methods implementing prioritization of network resources in an aeronautical satellite network system, which determines network utilization of a beam of the aeronautical satellite system by a plurality of aircraft using network capacity of the beam, where network demand in the beam indicated by the network utilization is greater than capacity of the beam, share network bandwidth of the beam to the plurality of aircraft based on a service priority factor, where the service priority factor may depend on altitude of the plurality of aircraft in the beam.

Abstract: An antenna pedestal including: a body having an inner cavity defined by a wall and a top ledge; a Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to provide climate control for the inner cavity; and a door to access the inner cavity of the body, wherein the top ledge supports a mechanical steering.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for improving communication throughput despite periodic blockages. In some implementations, a method includes receiving, by a receiver and from a transmitter, code blocks transmitted according to a first set of communication parameters that includes one or more first interleaver parameters used to interleave information in the code blocks prior to transmission. Corrupted portions of at least some of the received code blocks are identified. A blockage duration and a blockage interval of a blockage of communication channel between the transmitter and the receiver are determined based on the corrupted portions of the received code blocks. A second set of communication parameters that includes one or more second interleaver parameters are determined based on the blockage duration and blockage interval.

Abstract: Techniques are described for pre-equalization at the demodulator of a satellite receiver terminal to compensate for forward link distortions. Some satellite channel filters can manifest distortions, such as asymmetric group delay response. Such distortions can conventionally force restriction of symbol rate only to the portion of the channel bandwidth having a symmetric filter response. Embodiments include a pre-equalizer in the demodulation path that filters received downlink communications based on a set of pre-equalizer filter coefficients computed to at least partially compensate for the channel filter distortions. Some embodiments support updating the filter coefficients based on channel reassignments, and/or dynamically updating the filter coefficients based on detecting and exploiting pre-equalization frames. The pre-equalized sample stream can facilitate reliable decoding by the demodulator with an appreciably increased symbol rate and correspondingly increased forward link capacity.

Abstract: A satellite communication system that combines the benefits of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems into an MEO-LEO satellite system. The MEO-LEO system includes an LEO constellation combined with a MEO constellation where the LEO constellation may provide global coverage with broad average capacity and may support ‘hot spot’ coverage where desired. The MEO constellation may provide unique advantages including backhaul to ground in remote areas, higher traffic density for key locations, and a secure global backhaul for key customers. Data may be routed over optical inter-satellite links using Software Defined Networking concepts to provide MEO-LEO (backhaul and ground access), LEO-LEO (upstream & downstream); and (3) MEO-MEO (crosslinks & downlinks). Further, implementations described herein include secure user terminal (UT) to UT IP routing in the constellation for direct UT to UT communication.

Abstract: A satellite communication system which supports encrypted DNS at the customer premise equipment terminal to provide the benefits of local DNS caching. Some implementations use Certificate Authority (CA)-signed Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificates. Implementations may provide encrypted DNS service at the CPE, where the system installs CA-signed TLS certificate at the customer premise equipment (CPE) terminal. The same certificate can be used at multiple terminals using a wild-card certificate distributed by the satellite to provide value added services at a CPE as secure web services to off-the-shelf web clients and applications.

Abstract: In some implementations, a radiofrequency down converter comprises an input port to receive a radiofrequency input signal, and the down converter includes a first bandpass filter configured to filter the input signal. The down converter includes a mixer stage coupled to the bandpass filter, the mixer stage being configured to generate a mixer output signal by processing the filtered input signal using a gain adjustment device, one or more amplifiers, and a mixer. The down converter includes a signal adjustment stage coupled to receive the mixer output signal, the signal adjustment stage comprising: a temperature compensation device configured to compensate for changes in signal gain due to changes in temperature; a second bandpass filter; a gain adjustment device; one or more amplifiers; and a low pass filter. The down converter comprises an output port coupled to output an adjusted mixer output signal from the signal adjustment stage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for hopping across frequencies in a transmission medium. A communication link is established between multiple devices over a communication medium using a default frequency resource. Signaling information is detected for frequency resources available on the communication medium, and values associated with the signaling information are stored within a logging table. The communication link is monitored for errors and a new frequency resource is selected from the logging table to maintain the communication link, if the errors exceed a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for setting a calibration signal power, the method including: transmitting a calibration-modulated wave (CMW) signal at a frequency slot; receiving a power measurement of the CMW signal; calculating a calibration correction factor for the frequency slot based on the power measurement; and adjusting a transmission power of the CMW signal at the frequency slot based on the calibration correction factor. A method for switching over a control channel and a voice channel from an old sub-band to a new-sub-band, the method including: switching over control channel and voice channel among multiple GW components and satellite payload; predicting switchover time to reduce control channel and voice channel outage time during switchover.

Abstract: A method for frequency and time synchronization with respect to a satellite, the method including: calculating a frequency offset ({circumflex over (f)}B,e) due to an instability of a satellite oscillator from a beacon signal (fB,TXN); determining a Satellite Motion Doppler Correction for Ephemeris (SMDCe) of a satellite motion based on ephemeris data for the satellite; computing a Satellite Reference Drift Correction for Ephemeris (SRDCe) based on the frequency offset, the beacon signal and the SMDCe; setting a loopback TX frequency based on the SMDCe and the SRDCe; and transmitting a loopback TX signal to the satellite at the loopback TX frequency.

Abstract: An adaptive transmit power control process enables the uplink transmit power of a user terminal to be adjusted based on a scan angle of the antenna for the user terminal. The antenna periodically reports the scan angle to the user terminal, and a current maximum transmit power for the user terminal is determined based on the scan angle. The current maximum transmit power is then used as the basis for determining an allocation of resources to the user terminal. The transmit power control process enables resources to be assigned as needed across multiple carriers and enables a power spectral density of a user terminal to be adjusted based on nominal and offset transmit power parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for beam switching by a User Terminal (UT). The method includes initiating a beam switch between an old beam and a new beam when the UT is disposed in an overlap area of the old beam and the new beam; duplicating over the new beam, at a Network Access Point (NAP), user traffic to the UT; and assigning a Time Division Multiplex Access (TDMA) allocation for the UT on the new beam, prior to an arrival of the UT on the new beam, where the user traffic traversing a satellite network remains uninterrupted during the beam switch and the NAP redirects user traffic for the UT via the old beam to the new beam.

Abstract: Various arrangements for performing transmodulation of a forward feeder link are presented. A first data stream and a second data stream can be modulated into a higher-order modulation forward feeder link having a higher-order digital modulation scheme. A satellite can receive the higher-order modulation forward feeder link. The satellite can demodulate the higher-order modulator forward feeder link into a bit stream. This bit stream may then be remodulated and retransmitted as multiple forward user links.

Abstract: A receiver and method for compensating for linear impairments at a receiver including receiving an Rx signal including an asymmetric response of a satellite filter; pre-equalizing the Rx signal with a coefficient; and demodulating, after the pre-equalizing, the Rx signal.